April 30, 2017

Journey of the Senses: 6 Delicious Culinary Trips

Global Cultural Travel Tips & Inspiration

What better way to explore a new country and culture than through your taste buds!

Two people clink glasses of red wine, smiling and facing each other in a warmly lit setting, embarking on a delicious culinary journey of the senses.

We’ve paired some of our fantastic hiking and cultural adventures with special opportunities to enjoy renowned local cuisines. Savor innovative dishes from chef Ana Ros (named “The World’s Best Female Chef” in 2017) in Slovenia, dine at four different Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy, learn traditional cooking techniques in Patagonian cuisine in Chile, and experience wonderfully fun “pinxto-hopping” in Basque country. Our expert Trip Leaders (some are trained chefs!) bring you the culinary bounty of each region, with exhilarating hikes followed by exquisite meals. Here are six adventures filled with active hikes and absolutely delicious meals.

A chef in a kitchen, intensely focused on plating a dish with precision using tweezers, under the light of a hanging lamp, offering a delicious culinary journey of the senses. — Ana in her zone at Hisa Franko

Slovenia

Cradled in Slovenia’s Soca Valley is the small town of Kobarid, a quiet place infused with Italian flair. It’s also where “The World’s Best Female Chef” Ana Ros has her wonderful restaurant, Hisa Franko. This self-taught chef gained fame on Chef’s Table: Season 2 and she welcomes our groups like friends on our Hiking in Slovenia journey. We’ll hike to an ethereal waterfall, to the base of Slovenia’s highest peak, and cap off one night savoring innovative dishes at her restaurant.

A plated gourmet dish featuring seared duck breast slices accompanied by blackberries, figs, and a dollop of cream on a brown ceramic plate set on a wooden table. This culinary trip offers a journey of the senses with every delicious bite. — A seasonal dish at Gustu restaurant

Bolivia

On the other side of the world from Slovenia, in the lofty city of La Paz, is the renowned restaurant, Gustu (Quecha for “flavor”). Started by Claus Meyer (three-time winner of “The World’s Best Restaurant” for his former restaurant, Noma) and led by head chef Kamilla Seidler (named “Latin America’s Best Female Chef”), Gustu celebrates Bolivia’s local ingredients and the lesser-known flavors of the region while also adjusting recipes to accommodate the very high altitude (La Paz is the highest capital city in the world). Our Adventures in Bolivia trip brings us to Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, magnificent Lake Titicaca, and colonial Sucre, where we have lunch on a family farm. We’ll dine at Gustu for our festive Farewell Dinner—a unique and unforgettable experience!

A scenic vineyard with red and green grapevines under a clear blue sky, set against a backdrop of distant rolling mountains, offers a delicious journey of the senses. — Enjoy renowned Chilean wine on our Chile from Top to Bottom adventure

Chile

If you’re looking for more of a hands-on experience with food, our Chile from Top to Bottom adventure has us joining a cooking class in Patagonian cuisine one night and savoring local specialties like smoked trout ceviche. After a hike in Chile’s Lake District, we’ll be welcomed at a local farm for a delicious asado (traditional BBQ) and plenty of robust Chilean wine. This hearty fare will fuel our hikes in Paine National Park the following days.

Two people sit at a restaurant table, smiling with a large dish of delicious paella in front of them. A waitress can be seen in the background. Both have glasses of wine and water, enjoying their culinary trip that excites all their senses. — Some WT adventurers enjoying Basque country’s exceptional cuisine

Basque Country

Basque country is a feast for the senses. Our Great Hikes and Cuisines of Basque Country adventure brings us through smuggler’s paths and across high trails in the captivating landscapes of the Pyrenees and the emerald valley of Aldudes—we’ll even cross from Spain into France on foot! Private wines tastings and lunch at a monastery are culinary highlights and another memorable food experience is going “pinxto-hopping.” This bar-hopping tradition is deeply rooted in Basque culture, and we’ll sample a pinxto (a tapa, or small plate) or two and a drink at a local bar before moving on to the next place. It’s a great way taste the many different flavors of the region and mingle with the locals.

A shopkeeper arranges delicious cheese in a delicatessen, tantalizing the senses with an assortment of other food items on display. Through the window, a vibrant street scene with pedestrians and shops adds to the charm, making it a perfect spot for culinary trips. — Our Great Hikes and Chefs of Northern Italy’s Gourmet Trail is a feast for the senses

Italy

When a country is full of great hikes and great chefs, it only makes sense to create an adventure that showcases both. Our Great Hikes and Chefs of Northern Italy’s Gourmet Trail strings together a mix of moderate walks and hikes with elegant meals in lovely towns including meals at four different Michelin-starred restaurants. From our Welcome Dinner that consists of nine courses (yes, nine!) at the Michelin-starred Dolce Stil Novo restaurant, to our Farewell Dinner at Michelin-starred La Rucola, we’ll experience la dolce vita in its purest form.

A plate of opened oysters with lemon wedges, a long baguette, and a partial view of a body of water with people sitting and looking out in the background—truly food travel at its finest. — What better way to end a day of hiking in France than with fresh seafood and a lovely view

France

What foodie list would be complete without France on the menu? Our Normandy and Brittany journey combines countryside and coastal hikes, including a hike out to dramatic Mont St. Michel, with amazing food and drink inspired by the region’s local specialties. Our culinary treats include famed local cheeses, fresh oysters from the Bay of Cancale in Brittany (Louis XIV had Cancale oysters brought to him at Versailles), and succulent mussels and scallops paired with crisp ciders and wines.